History
In 1840 a young mechanic named August Schrader arrived in New York from Hamburg, Germany. By the spring of 1844 he had saved enough money to purchase some machinery, and open a shop at 115 John Street in Manhattan. He was a maker of daguerreotype apparatus. Shortly after he went into partnership with Christian Baecher, who was a turner, a finisher of brass.
In 1846 Schrader took interest in an underwater race between divers off the battery in Lower Manhattan and after inspecting the diver’s equipment, he was convinced that he could improve the design, and manufacturing of the helmets. By 1849 had Schrader produced two helmets and sold them to the Union India Rubber Co. of New York for $12.00 each and in January 1850 Schrader sold the same company an air pump for $25.00.
US Navy MK II
To be considered a US NAVY MK II, the helmet must be a 4-light Schrader 5-bolt with communications installed.
US NAVY MKV
A Schrader MKV modified for use in the California abalone industry.
